And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation. Since a king gives private audience to his minister, so special license was granted to Moses, who, though not a priest, was admitted into the sanctuary to receive instructions from his Heavenly King as occasion demanded.
Then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him. The sound issued from above the propitiatory, which was over the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubim. Though standing on the outer side of the veil, he could distinctly hear it; and the mention of this circumstance is important as the fulfillment, at the dedication of the tabernacle, of a special promise made by the Lord-Christ Himself, the Angel of the Covenant, commanding its erection (Exodus 25:22). It was the reward of Moses' zeal and obedience; and, in like manner, to all who love Him and keep His commandments, He will manifest Himself (John 14:21). On consulting the record, we find that such oracular communications were sometimes made without any accompanying personal phenomena (Henderson on 'Inspiration,' p. 72: see the note at 1 Kings 6:16).